Disparity Study Consulting Services

The City of Boston, Massachusetts is seeking disparity study consulting services to examine the participation of specific business enterprises in its procurement processes. The agency is trying to evaluate the utilization of Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprises, Small and Small Local Business Enterprises, and Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises, with the potential to include additional certification types. This study will analyze current programs, policies, and data to identify any barriers or discrimination, without being overly prescriptive in its final recommendations. The scope of work covers eight distinct deliverables to be performed offsite over a five-year contract period. The selected contractor must perform a legal framework analysis of relevant state or federal court decisions since 2020, evaluate current procurement and supplier diversity policies, and define the geographic market area. Additionally, the project requires availability, utilization, and disparity analyses, supplemented by qualitative research and community engagement to gather anecdotal evidence of market barriers. The final phase of the scope requires the delivery of a draft disparity study, a final report, and presentations detailing the methodology and findings. Eligible bidders must be located onshore within the United States. The agency has not disclosed a specific budget and is looking for proposals to define the cost. The agency will host a pre-bid meeting on July 15, 2026, to discuss the project requirements with interested parties.